Chapter 567 - 567 573 Taking the Initiative

Chapter 567: Chapter 573: Taking the Initiative Chapter 567: Chapter 573: Taking the Initiative “Damn the Li family, deploying so many cultivators to aid the Spiritual Cloud Sect!” A few Golden Core Demon Cultivators in charge of the tainted Loose Cultivators grew furious when several evil cultivator Golden Core life tokens shattered, and had sent out scouts to investigate the situation. Now returning with intel, they were annoyed beyond measure.

“What should we do now? With the Li family’s aggressive stance, I fear they intend to thoroughly eradicate the Spiritual Cloud Sect,” another sorrowfully commented.

If the Li family did proceed with that, it would mean that all their efforts over this period had been in vain!

Besides, the Li family’s ruthlessness in weeding out every last Demon Cultivator would deter a portion of the Loose Cultivators; it’s likely that for a while, none would be willing to join the ranks of Demon Cultivators.

“With our power, we absolutely can’t stop the Li family.” Thus, apart from helplessly watching, the only thing to do is to gather the surviving Demon Cultivators, temporarily leave and return only after the Li family has left.

With Li Zhirui, a Nascent Soul True Lord, personally present to supervise, what difference would there be between them, mere Golden Cores, rushing out and courting death?

The others remained silent. Although it was embarrassing, it indeed seemed the best course of action they could think of.

——

There were many Demon Cultivators, but their strength was mediocre at best; there were only three or four Golden Core Demon Cultivators after all, since even though demon cultivation could accelerate their cultivation, time was still too short.

And situations like that of Li Xianxun were truly one of a kind.

After this ordeal, many clan members had reaped some benefits. Although none were as astonishing as Li Xianxun’s, merely a breakthrough in a minor realm, it was quite good nonetheless.

And wars inevitably lead to casualties. No matter how much one prepares, unexpected variables will arise.

After cleansing the Marketplaces and Immortal Cities in the area of Demon Cultivators, Li Zhirui also led the clan members to scour the territories of the Spiritual Cloud Sect several times over, ensuring that not a single Demon Cultivator within their borders was left unresolved!

“Many thanks to the senior and all the fellow Daoists for your substantial assistance! We truly have no way to repay you!” Xu Changle was endlessly grateful and very emotional.

However, Li Zhirui’s response was rather cold, “Don’t be complacent. The Demon Cultivators have merely been purged temporarily. It won’t be long before those from the nearby regions move in, continuing to instigate the Loose Cultivators.”

“And we can’t always come to help you; you need to find your own solutions.”

The Li family is the main sect of the Spiritual Cloud Sect, not a bodyguard service. Helping once exemplifies our concern for a vassal—it won’t be an unpaid effort the next time.

“Senior is right! We will figure out a solution,” Xu Changle said quickly in agreement.

Li Zhirui said no more, signaling Li Chengshuo to pilot the Spirit Boat and depart.

“Uncle-Master, our sect’s strength is so weak, we can’t possibly fend off the invasion of Demon Cultivators!” After the Li family left, the sect members spoke up impatiently.

“Am I unaware of it? But what can be done? The Li family is no charity organization. Relying too much on them would not benefit the sect’s development in the slightest,” Xu Changle said with a bitter expression. If it weren’t for the sect being besieged by Demon Cultivators, they wouldn’t have fallen to this plight.

“Instead of dwelling on these futile matters, it would be better to consider how to enhance the disciples’ strength and cultivate more Golden Core cultivators!”

It sounded easy, but if it were indeed so simple, Golden Core cultivators wouldn’t be so scarce.

And the Demon Cultivators who were keeping a close eye on the Li family’s movements, upon discovering their departure, had many returning to the Spiritual Cloud Sect’s territories by that afternoon.

——

Meanwhile, onboard the Li family Spirit Boat.

“After returning to Wanxian Island, take a rest first, then reflect carefully on the recent war, hoping you have all gained something,” Li Zhirui said. After speaking, he turned and went back into the cabin, to avoid making the others feel constrained by his presence.

“Xian Xun, I heard you had a narrow escape from a Golden Core Demon Cultivator, which led to your breakthrough. Is it true?” Of all the clan members, Li Xianxun had naturally become the center of attention.

“It was just a fluke. If the ancestor hadn’t arrived in time, I would have been a corpse by now,” Li Xianxun replied humbly.

After receiving affirmation from the person himself, all the Foundation Establishment members of the Li family looked at him with envy.

They only saw the successful Li Xianxun, unable to imagine him facing a Golden Core Demon Cultivator without any power to fight back.

If given a choice, Li Xianxun would rather lock himself away for closed-door cultivation, training and making stable breakthroughs, instead of experiencing such a thrilling and dangerous situation.

Because if Zhirui had arrived even a breath later, he would have died!

Li Xianxun did not accept this manner of entrusting his fate to others, even if the other party was a Nascent Soul True Lord like Zhirui.

Under the relentless bombardment of questions from everyone, Li Xianxun felt tormented, as though each day was a year, and in agony, the Spirit Boat finally stopped at Wanxian Island.

But he didn’t expect that there were still people pestering him, unwilling to let him go.

“Enough, you’re all still far from Core Formation and there is no benefit in this. What’s most important is to cultivate diligently. Once you break through to Golden Core, you’ll naturally understand everything you want to know,” Li Chengshuo waved his hand and said, “Go back now, focus on understanding, and don’t miss out on a good opportunity.”

Only then did everyone let Li Xianxun go and depart each to their own way.

——

“Did you gain anything from this trip?” Jiang Fengwu, who had just come out from the quiet room, saw Li Chengshuo in the courtyard and casually asked.

Li Chengshuo shook her head. She didn’t encounter any Golden Core Demon Cultivators this time, they were all minor fish that she could deal with easily, so naturally, there was no significant gain.

“Don’t rush, take it slow. Work on polishing your mana, and don’t give up practicing the Visualization Skill. These will be very helpful for your future breakthroughs,” Jiang Fengwu consoled.

“I understand.” Although Li Chengshuo understood the logic, she couldn’t help but feel somewhat downhearted.

“How about you? Did you make any progress?” Zhirui, hearing the noise outside, ran out to join in on the excitement.

Hearing this, Jiang Fengwu shook her head slightly. To deduce a formation from nothing, especially when the topic is set, and the difficulty involves the largest aspect, space – how could success come easily with these complications stacking up?

Even now, she hadn’t found a clue.

Zhirui wasn’t in a hurry about this matter. Take it slowly, even if it ended in failure, the process would still be a valuable experience.

“Dad, Mom, I plan to go out for some experience for a while,” Li Chengsheng, who was usually nowhere to be seen, seemed to be waiting for them today.

A flash of curiosity appeared in Zhirui’s eyes. What has happened? To think that it could make Li Chengsheng, who was engrossed in nurturing Spirit Beasts, proactively bring up going out for a trial.

“I want to go too!” Li Chengshuo chimed in from the side.

Without a second thought, Jiang Fengwu refused, “Sheng can go, but you better not. You haven’t even successfully refined your Life-bound Magic Treasure, what’s the point of going out?”

Li Chengshuo pouted, she knew it would turn out like this!

“If you want to go, then go. But be careful and cautious while you are out,” Li Chengsheng had prior experience with trials, so Zhirui didn’t have much to say.

As he spoke, Zhirui took out several bottles of third-grade Spirit Pills and handed them to Li Chengsheng.